Pastor Raul Granillo

Mighty Warrior.

Most everyone knows the story of David and Goliath. How a small boy with a big heart took down the enemy’s prize warrior, who was a giant compared to most people. From there, David only became more famous in Israel. He led the king’s armies to many victories. He was revered for his courage and faith under great pressure and against great adversaries. 1 Chronicles 11 tells us that David was made king and then began fortifying the kingdom and building cities. “And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD Almighty was with him” (1 Chron. 11:9 NIV).

When we hear about David, it’s easy to assume that he needed no help, but that all of his success was due to the size of heart and his persistence in any situation. When we assume these things about David, or anyone like him, one of two very dangerous things typically happen. We either try to be just like that, or we allow others to be just like that.

The truth is that David didn’t do all of these things on his own. The Sunday school response is, “God was with Him.” Yes, God was with him, but to boil it down to that is to have missed something really important that God tells us in the scripture. If you read 1 Chronicles 11:10-47, you would find a list of what the scriptures call, “David’s mighty warriors.” At least 37 men are listed who, “together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land” (11:10). This does not include the countless number of people under them and in other areas of the kingdom.

As a guy, one of my biggest weaknesses is my refusal to ask for help. I want to do everything on my own. I know a lot of people—men and women alike—who are the same way. We are stubborn, and will die trying long before we will ask for help. Too often, we burn ourselves out trying to complete a task that should have been shared with others. Sometimes, when these types of people are in leadership positions, they hinder the overall work by micro-managing and sacrificing the vision to maintain their pride. Even worse, when we refuse to allow others to help, we hinder them by refusing their right to experience, learn, and grow through engagement in a task.

On the flip side, there are those who are delusional enough to actually believe that someone can do something without their help. There are plenty of people today who are under the impression that leaders should be able to do everything without them. The Pereto principle tells us that 80 percent of results are the work of 20 percent of the people. Churches call this the 80/20 rule, although today it is really more like 90/10. Ten percent of the people do 90 percent of the work.

If you think that your help is not or should not be needed at your local church, you are sorely mistaken—practically and biblically. They need you and God commands this. If you think that your help is not or should not be needed to take care of poverty in the world, you are sorely mistaken—practically and biblically. If you think that your help is not or should not be needed to address social justice in this world, you are sorely mistaken—practically and biblically. Your help is needed!

Take a look at our world today. It needs you to do more than vote, complain, blog, or protest; it needs you to put your hands to the plow and engage in whatever you can to help make a real difference. The Church’s function is to bear witness to God’s kingdom by being Christ like. Jesus was out there; Jesus touched the people. Are you?

This world and its inhabitants should be too important for pride to keep you from asking for help. It should be too important for you to make excuses to do nothing. Become a mighty warrior for this world, engage and invest in it; the Lord Almighty is always with those who do.

To find out more about La Vista Church, or to hear this and other messages, visit our website at www.lavistanaz.org or email me at raul@lavistanaz.org. Follow Pastor Raul on Twitter @RaulGranillo007

Please come join us as we fix our eyes on Jesus. We meet Sundays at 9 a.m. for Sunday school and 10 a.m. for worship. Everyone is welcome!